Motor vehicle



Aug. l1, 1942.

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Aug; 11, 1942.

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W. R. GRISWOLD MOTQR VEHICLE v Aug. 1l, 1942.

Filed Alig. 16, 1940 sheets-sheet s v Patented Aug. 11, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE MOTOR VEHICLE.

Walter It. Griswold, Detroit, Mich., assigner' to 1 Packard Motor Car Company, Detroit, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan Application AugustV 16, 1940, Serial No. 352,878 (o1. 'i4-472) 4l Claims.

This invention relates to power transmitting mechanism and more particularly to such mechanism Afor use in driving motor vehicles.

Various types of automatic or semi-automatic power transmitting mechanisms have-been proposed fordriving motor vehicles, and a few of such devices have been used to a limited extent. They have not been generally accepted -because of diiiiculties or disadvantages encountered due mainly to cost, size or control.

In one type of such mechanisms, two planetary gearing units are employed and each unit is controlled by a relatively Vlarge diameter armature disk operating between two magnetic clutches, the same being operable to provide four forward driving speeds. The trend of motor veciated parts that can be easily tted to a motor vehicle without the use of an objectionable housing projecting above the floor of the body into the passenger compartment.

Still another object o! the invention is to pro- .vide power transmitting mechanism of the type in which one planetary gearing is controlled to 'provide either one of two speeds, with another planetary gearing and an overrunning clutch that can be operated to modify or directly continue the selected drive so that drag shift delay and acceleration forces heretofore found in a hicle design is to reduce the height of the body door above the ground, and in order to accommodate the rear pair of clutches of such mechanisms having an adequate driving capacity it is now necessary to provide a housing or ltunnel therefor that projectsconsiderably above the door of the body and into the passenger space. No dimculty is encountered in accommodating the front pair of clutches of such mechanism as they can be located in the space beneath or in advance of the toe board. .Such magnetic clutches present a rotating mass providing acceleration forces that have to be dealt with and they also -have a definite drag, and because of this drag it has been necessary to provide for an similar magnetic control of a planetary gearing are eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power transmitting mechanism having two planetary gearing units, the forward one of which drives direct or reduces the drive and the rear undesirable timing delay when shifting from one Y to the other of the clutches in each pair. V Automatic operation of a power transmitting mechanism must necessarily contemplate providing a selection of gear ratios which will give maximum' acceleration for all car speeds at wide open throttle position, and should likewiseV provide automatic adjustment to the lowest numerical transmission gear ratio that will be suitable for road load conditions when the car is running at substantially uniform speed, and further to fulfill the conditions of good automatic operation, all intermediate requirements between road load requirements and wide open throttle requirements must be provided for.

It is an object of this invention to provide' such a control'for a motor vehicle power transmitting mechanism of the type referred to by the provision therewith of a fluid coupling and a driving speed governing means under the control of the driver of the vehicle through manipulation of the throttle ycontrol mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide one of which provides an overdrive thereby reducing the drive capacity of the rear planetary control to a minimum.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic power Atransmitting mechanism of the type referred to that will respond to the drivers desire simply by actuation of the accelerator pedal in order to produce the best operating conditions for the vehicle. v

Still another object of the invention is to provide a magnetic control foi` planetary gearing in a power transmitting system for motor vehicles in which the electric system is broken through release of the accelerator pedal when the vehicle standing still. y

Another object of the invention is to provide control mechanism for a power transmitting gearing in which a manual shift is employed to prepare for neutral, forward and reverse drives, and in which a, plurality of forward gear ratios will be automatically obtained.

- Another object of the invention is to provide a positive mechanical connection througha power transmitting mechanism of the automatic shifting type controlled by an electrical system so that the vehicle can be pushed or driven when the electric system is for any reason inoperative.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an automatic power transmitting mechanism of the type referred to in which the control can be established manually to provide one of the an arrangement of gearing, controls and assoforward drives.

Another objectof the invention is to provide means in the control of a magnetic control for a power transmitting mechanism of the planetary type in which the drive can be shifted back and forth between direct and overdrive in response to manipulation of the accelerator pedal.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic power transmitting mechanism of the type referred to in which the control mechanism includes a governor, the effectiveness of which is varied in accordance with throttle conditions.

Another object of the invention is to provide control mechanism for automatic power transmitting mechanism of the type referred to that includes a governor, the effectiveness of which is controlled by pressure conditions in the engine manifold of the vehicle being driven so that free wheeling is eliminated except below an extremely low speed.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a motor vehicle having the invention incorporated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the steering wheel having the hand control and indicator of the power transmitting mechanism associated therewith;

Fig.'3 is avertical sectional view taken longitudinally through the power transmitting mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of actuating mechanism under the control of the throttle mechanism by means of which the electrical control system is regulated;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4, and includes in section the switch device directly actuated by the accelerator pedal;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the accelerator pedal operated switch device taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '1 is another sectional view of the 4accelerator pedal operated switch device taken on line 1--1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the manually conk trolled switch and shift rod mechanism taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the rod shifting mechanism taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is another sectional view of the rod shifting mechanism taken on line I-I0 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the manually controlled switch taken on line II-II of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is another sectional view of the manually controlled switch taken on line I2-I2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of the switch device shown in Figs. 11 and 12;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on line I4-I4 of Fig. 1, showing another part of the control for the transmission and more particularly the vacuum controlled switch mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the vacuum switch device taken on line I-I5 of Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is another sectional view of the vacuum switch device taken on line IB-IB of Fig. 14;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view ofthe vacuum switch mechanism taken on line I1-I1 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is another sectional view of the vacuum switch mechanism taken on line I8--I8 of Fig. 75

Fig. 19 is a bottom plan view of the vacuum switch mechanism shown in Figs. 15 and 16;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of the transmission mechanism with the casing partly brokenaway showing the manual change speed shift mecha-l nisms and a portion of the governor control mechanism taken approximately on line 2l2l of Fig. 2l;

Fig. 21 is a sectional view of the governor control mechanism taken on line 2I-2I of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view of the governor modifying mechanism taken on line 22-22 of Fig. 20;

Fig. 23 is a sectional view of the governor modifying mechanism-taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a sectional view of the governor controlled switch taken on line 24-24 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical control system;

Fig. 26 is a sectional view of the governor controlled switch mechanism taken on line 2,6-28 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 27 is a sectional view of the governor controlled switch mechanism taken on line 21-21 of Fig. 24;

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the governor switch actuator hub removed from the governor shaft;

Fig. 29 is a sectional view of the governor c'ontrolled switch mechanism taken on linel 29-29 of Fig. 24. l

The power transmitting mechanism -shown i'n the drawings can be utilized as a drive for various purposes, such as for motor vehicles. Such mechanism comprises generally a fluid coupling `A, driven by engine 9, and change speed gearing B. The drive passes from the change speed gearing through tail shaft IIl, which may extend rearwardly of the vehicle to drive the usual vehicle traction wheels (not shown).

The uid coupling A may be of any suitable construction for transmitting drive between the prime mover and the change speed mechanism B and, as illustrated, comprises conventional driving vane member II and driven vane member I2. The driving vane member II is carried by hub I3 xed on the engine crankshaft I4 by bolts I5 and the driven vane member I2 is fixed to hub I6 forming part of a sleeve shaft l1. The forward end of shaft I1 projects into hub I3 and a suitable bearing I8 is arranged therebetween.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the transmission casing is comprised of two main sections, the forward section I9 enclosing the fluid coupling A andthe rear section 20 enclosing the change speed mechanism B. The change speed mechanism includes three aligned planetary gearings C, D, and E.

In the forward planetary gearing C there is a sleeve 2| splined at 22 to shaft I1 and having a helical toothed sun gear 23 vformed on its rear end. A carrier 24 and ring 25 support shafts Y ases-,esa

. tween the front and rearplanetary gearing C and E. The carrier 39 is formed with a sleeve 49 having a collar arranged to be engaged by shifting mechanism. the carrier and they can be shifted to engage with the internal teeth of ring gear 39 or forwardly to engage teeth formed on a plate 42 fixed to the casing 29. When the carrier teeth are shifted to' engage the plate teeth the carrier is of course held stationary and the pinins 36 will rotate to provide a reverse drive from the sun gear to the ring gear. Whenthe carrier is free .from the holding plate and the pinion gears mesh only with the sun gear and ring gear then the drive through planetary gearing D will be direct forward.

lDirect positive drive between planetary gearing E and the fluid coupling can be'established through shaft 32. On the shaft are formed clutch teeth 43, and the carrier is shiftable rearwardly to mesh the planet gears 36 with teeth 63B while they remain in mesh with the sun and ring gears. Shaft 32 is positively coupled to the sun gear sleeve 2| by ring member 44 and between such ring member and sleeve shaft 3| is a spacer ring 95. When the planet gears 36 mesh with teeth 63, the ring gear .39 will be positively connected to shaft I1 through shaft 32,

Teeth 4I are formed onto establish reverse drive, it isnecessary that the two-way clutch ring 69 be coupled with the carrier ring 63 in order that there will be posivtive drive to the tail shaft, and this positive coupling is also desirable when planet gears 36 are engaged, with teeth 43 of shaft 32 in order member all, sleeve `2i and the splined conneci tion 22.

The rear planetary gearing E includes a heli\ cal toothed sun gear 66 formed on sleeve 41, helical toothed ring gear 48 and vhelical toothed planet gears 49. The vplanet gears are mounted on shafts 59, supported by the carrierv 5|, the carrier being splinedon a shaft 53 extending through the sun gear sleeve and bearing 54.

` The forward end 55 of shaft 53 is formed with teeth that mesh with the teeth of ring gear v39 and provides a positive driving coupling between such ring gear` and the rear planetary gearing. The tail shaft I9 has an enlarged hollow forward end 58 that is mounted in bearing 52 and telescopes an extended cam hub portion 56 of carrier 5I. Between such carrier cam hub portion and the tail shaft is arranged overrunning rollers 51. Such rollers and hub provid'e a one-way drive between shafts 53 and I9 when the rear planetary gearing is free.

A two-way drive is provided by clutch means locking the carrier 5I of planetary gearing E so that the tail shaft will be positively coupled with shaft 53. Clutch ring 59 is slidably splined on the enlarged forward end 58 ofthe tail shaft and has forwardly extending fingers 69 arranged to extend through windows 6| in the radial flange 62 at the forward end of the tail'A shaft, the

' radial flange having teeth 62' in mesh with the gagement of thel clutch ring teeth with the teeth 'on ring 63 will positively `couplethe tail shaft and e axial position where it is retained by springV to provideL a positive emergency ydrive coupling between the engine andthe tail shaft. The last mentioned `positive drive coupling is used when thefvehiclemust be pushed to start the engine or when the electric control mechanisms for the front" and rear planetary gearings fail.

As. the two-way coupling of ring 59 and ring 63 is made with the foremost or rearmost shiftof the carrier 39, interconnected mechanism, see Figs. 20 and 21, is provided to obtain such results through` the operation of a single manually controlled actuator. A rod 65 is mounted for axial movement in bearing 66 formed in a wall of casing 29. 0n one end of the rod .is xed a shift fork 66 that engages a collar or carrier sleeve' 49 and slidably mounted on the rod is a shift fork 69 that operatively engages clutch ring 59. 0n the rod is xed an abutment ring 19'that limits the axial movement of the fork 69 rearwardly on the rod and a coil spring 1I engages the forward end of the fork, such .spring encircles the rod and engages a shoulder 12 formed in the casing 29. Forward movement of the rod will carry the forks therewith to positively engage the carrier teeth 4| with the holding plate 42 and to engage clutch ring fingers 69 with the teeth on ring 63 whereby positive reverse drive is obtained. -A rearward shift of "slot 15 in the shift rod and the other end engages the fork 69 so that rearward movement of the rodwillpivot the lever to move the clutch ring 59 forwardly into engagement With the ring 63.

As shown in Fig. 20, the rod is in its central pressed detent 16. This detent can also engage in other recesses in the rod to retain the rod in the forward or rear positions of its shift. When the rod is in central position the teeth 4| of carrier 38 will be free of teeth 42 but engaged with'the teeth of ring gear 39, the planet gears` will be disengaged from teeth 43 and clutch ring 59 will be disengaged from ring 63. Shaft 14' extends through a wall of casing 29 and xed to the projecting end thereofgis an arm 14', see

Fig. 21, that can be swung manually by mechanism extending within easy reach of the vehicle driver. Rocking of the arm 14' in one direction from central position will establish positive reverse drive by the transmission and movement of the arm in the opposite direction from cenl trai position will establish a positive emergency i or brake device 8|.

the carrier 5I so that there is aV positive two? n way drive connection `betweenshafts 53 and I9. .When the planetary carrier sleeve 49 is shifted forward and engaged with the holding plate 42 drive through the transmission.

The forward planetary gearing C is controlled by a magnetic clutch 89 and a magnetic holding In the clutch 89 is a winding 89 and in the device 8| is a winding- 8| and arranged between the clutch and the ,holdings dee vice is an armature disk 82 that is riveted to a,

flexible disk plate 62', the plate being riveted to ring gear 28. The magnet disk clutch 99 is keyed on the sun gear sleeve 2| and the magnet disk 8| is suitably iixedto casing 29. Thus when a rod |06 in the tubing to shift the the magnet clutch 80 is energized armature disk 82 will be moved forwardly and held thereto locking the front planetary gearing to transmit direct drive from the engine driven fluid coupling. When the magnet device 8| is energized, the armature disk 82 will be moved and held stationary therewith, and, as the ring gear 28 is likewise held stationary through flexible plate 82. the planetary gearing will transmit a modified drive, preferably reduced, from the fluid coupling. The flexible plate connection allows the armature to be shifted without overcoming the resistance of the planetary gearing teeth so that there will thus be no delay in the shift.

The rear planetary gearing E is controlled by a magnetic holding or brake device including a magnet 90 fixed in thev casing 20 and disk clutch plates 9|, some of the plates being slidably splined to the casing 20 and the other plates being slidably splined on the sun gear sleeve 41. In the member 90 is arranged winding 90'. When such electromagnet holding device is energized the clutch plates will be pulled together holding the sun gear 46 stationary and thus modifying the drive through the planetary gearing from shaft 53 to the tail shaft |0 to provide preferably an overdrive. When the electro-magnet 'device is not energized, the sun gear 46 will 4be free so that the tail shaft will be driven at the same speed as shaft 53 through the overrunning rollers 51.

A current is supplied to winding 80 by suitable b-rush 93 and contact 93' and to winding 8|' by suitable conductor means 94 having a terminal 94 exterior of the casing 20. Current is supplied to brush 93 'by suitable conductor means 95 having a terminal exterior of casing 20. Current is supplied to winding 90 from terminal B9 projecting exteriorly of the casing 20.

Due to the use of the multiple plate clutch has a pointer |05 fixed thereto in relation to cooperate with an indicator dial |01 mounted on the steering column head so that the driver can visualize the driving relation of the manually shiftable control mechanism.

A plate |08 is suitably fixed tothe lower portion of the steering column, below the toe board, and fixed to the upper face thereof by suitable means, such as rivets |09, is a housing ||0 having a hub portion serving as a bearing for tube |02. An actuator arm ||2 having an integral hub ||3 is arranged below the plate |08 and the hub is rotatably mounted on tube |02.

. The arm ls maintained in close relation axially in the magnetic holding device and the overl running clutch for controlling the rear planetary gearing, such mechanism can be arranged entirely beneath the vehicle flooring even though the flooring is close to the ground. The engine 9 isin the space in advance of the dash 96, the fluid coupling and the front clutch' 00 and hold. ing device 8| can lie beneath or in advance of the toe board 91, and the portion of the transmission rearwardly thereof is of such small diameter that it can lie entirely under a fiat vehicle body floor 98.

The middle planetary gearing D is selectively controlled manually to be locked together, to hold the pinion cage for reverse drive, or to provide direct positive emergency drive between shafts 32 and 53. As previously explained, these conditions can be established upon shifting sleeve 40 through mechanism including rod65, arm 14', shaft 14 and acutator 13.

This manually operable drive selection mechanism for operatinyr arm 14' is arranged to extend within convenient reach of the lvehicle driver and preferably adjacent the vehicle steering wheel |00 at the upper end of a conventional vehicle steering column |0|. Parallel with this steering column and suitably fixed thereto is a tube |02 to the upper end of which is fixed housing |63 into which one end of control lever |04 projects and is pivoted so that it can be rocked vertically. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the lever |04 can be swung forwardly and rearwardly to rotate the tubing |02 therewith, and engages same axially when swung up or down on its pivot. The lever with the plate by a retainer ||4 fixed on tubing |02. The arm has a link rod ||5 pivotally connected thereto that extends to bell crank I6 pivoted on the engine, and a link ||1 connects the bell crank and the arm 14 for the adjustment of shift rod 65 to control the middle planetary gear- The arm ||2 is swung on its pivot by an actuator ||8' fixed to rods |06 by pin ||9. This pin also extends through an elongated slot |20 in tube |02 and the actuator is slidably splined .on the tube |02. Thus, axial movement of rod |06 will shift the actuator arm ||8 therewith and rotative movement of tube.|02 will swing the actuator arm therewith. The rod |06 is normally retained in its uppermost position by spring |2| seated in the tube |02. The adjacent faces of the members ||2 and ||0 are recessed to provide a guide-way for the actuator arm ||8 and the adjacent portion of the intermediate plate |08 is open complementary to the recess |26 in member I0 except for abutment |22 which registers with an abutment |22 projecting into recess |25 in arm ||2. Aspring pressed plunger |23 is slidable in the arm ||2 and normally urges the actuator arm ||8 toward housing ||0 serving as an interlock between the associated parts, and a spring pressed detent |24 is carried by thevhousing for retaining the actuator centrally in recess |26. The recess |26 in the stationary member ||0 allows a limited swinging of the actuator arm therein when swinging the tube |02- to the left or right by forward or rearward movement of the lever |04. The recess |25 of arm ||2 overlies recess |26 and the actuator can be shifted from either end of recess |26 into recess |25 when the lever |04 is swung upwardly to push the rod downwardly. After being seated in recesses |25 on one side of abutment |22', rotation of the tube by swinging lever |04 forwardly or rearwardly will rotate the actuator ||8 carrying the arm ||2 therewith to shift the link mechanism extending to shift rod 65. Rotation of the actuator while seated in recess |25 on either side of abutment |22 will be under plate |08 and will ride past recess |26 so that it will be retained without danger of accidental displacement. The actuator is normally held in the recess |26 by spring |2'I urging rod |06 upwardly and placing the lever |04 in its lower position, and the lever |04 must be swung forwardly or rearwardly to,move actuator ||8 to one or the other end of recess |26 before it can register with one of the recesses |25 and be moved therein to shift the rod 65 by a further forward or rearward movement of lever |04.

This movement of lever |04 and actuator ||8 is illustrated specifically in Figs. 1, 2 and 9 wherein N designates neutral position, F designates forward position, 2nd designates secondspeed vdrive position, R designates reverse drive position and EM designates emergency drive position. Itwill be noted that neutral is -at the left end of re-v cess |26, 2nd is centrally in recess |26 and forward'is at the right end of recess |26. Thus by swinging lever |04 forwardly or rearwardly, when the actuator is in recess |26, the arm ||2 will not be moved and shift rod 65 will remain in the central axial position, as shown in Fig.-20, and the middle .planetary gearing will be coupled to transmit direct drive from carrier 24 to shaft 53. When the lever is in neutral position, the actuator is in the left end of recess |26 and can be shifted into the left recess |25, by upward movement of the lever, and then will carry the arm l2 l actuator will be at the right end of recess |26 and upward movement oi' the lever will move the actuator into right recess |25 so that rearward movement of the lever to EM position will move the actuator and arm ||2 to the right shifting rod 65 rearwardly to engage the planet gears 36 with teeth 43 on shaft 32 and thus couple the shafts 32 and 53 directly together.

' Lever |04 is also utilized to operate the main control switch of the electrical system leading to the magnetic clutches. On the lower portion of the steering column is fixed an internally ythreaded bearing |30 into which the lower end of tube |02 screws and an arm |3| is fixed to this end of the tubing. Arm |3| vis coupled to another Y arm |32 by pin |33. Arm |32 is fixed to shaft |34" mounted on a switch carrier |35, the .carrier be- |48 leading to the motor vehicle batteryvl49. In

such conductor means kis the engine ignition switch |50 and an indicator light |5|.

Fixed on shaft |34 in the switch carrier is an arm |52 having a pin |53 projecting into a slot |54 of a movable contact carrier |55 having walls pivotally mounted on pins |56 fixed to carrier |35.

A Bakelite mounting |51 is fixed to the carrier |55 `and supports contact members |58 and |59 resiliently seated on coil springs |60. The movable contact member |58 is triangular in shape and is formed with a contact at each corner while the other movable contact |59 is in strip form. Contact rivets |6| secure post |42 to the mounting, contact rivet |62 secures post |43 to the mounting, contact rivet |63 secures post 44 to the mounting and contact rivet |64 secures post |45 to the mounting. The stri'p contact '|46 is secured to the mounting by contact rivets |65, the contact post |40 is secured to the mounting by contact rivet |66 and post |4| is secured to the mounting by contact rivet |61. These contact rivets all extend through the mounting so that they can be engaged by the movable contacts |58 and |59. Contact member |58'has a raised contact portion at each corner, one of the corner contacts engaging rivets of strip |46 and the other two corner contacts being inline with rivets |6|, |62, |63 and |64. Contact member |59 has a raised contact portion adjacent each end for engaging contact rivets |66 and "|61. The carrier |55 being pivoted on a different axis' than the arm |52 will swing substantially twice as far as the arm and, due to this arrangement, room can thusobe had to 'properly space the contacts The control for the magnetic system, when the main switch is in forward drive position, includes a governor, that can be modified by the throttle control mechanism, by pressure conditions in the engine intake manifold, and an accelerator pedal operatedswitch mechanism. When the drive is in reverse or direct emergency couple then the magnetic ysystem is controlled by means operated by the shift rail 65.

' The governor mechanism is 'carried at the rear endof casingy 20 in a housing formed by walls |15. A hollow drive shaft |16 has gear |11 fixed thereto and such gear meshes with gear |18 formed on the tail shaft 0. Weighted arms |19 arel mounted on pivots |80 carried by the shaft |16 and these armsin' their centrifugal movement axially shift a control shaft |8^| extending through shaft |16. Connected to be operated in conjunction with shaft |8| is a switch control shaft'l82 that projects into shaft |16 at one 'end and is seated in a cylindrical bearing |83 located in' a switch base plate |84 in the casing 20. Spring |85 holds the shaft |82 axially against shaft |8|. Fixed on the shaft |82 is an actuator hub |86 for controlling a plurality of switch mechanisms |81, |88 and |89 mounted on the plate |84, see Figs. 2l, 24, 25 and 26.

Switch |81 is best shown in Figs. 24 and 26. On one face of the switch base plate ,|84 are arranged three contact posts |92, |93 and |96, and on the other face of the base plate are arranged two terminal posts |94 and |91, all of such posts being insulated from the base plate. A conductor rivet fastens the posts |92 and |94 to the plate, a conductor rivet |98 fastens the postsv tion and plate |95 is arranged to contact with the contact post |96 while plate 200 is arranged to contact with posts |92 and |93. The movable plate portion of the switch has one end of a coil y spring 203 fastened thereto and the other end oi such spring is fastened to an anchor member 204 fixed to the governor' actuated hub |86, the anchor member 204 being insulated as the hub is formed of insulation material. Axial movement of the hub through means of the over-center spring 203 will flip the movable plate members intotthe extreme positions of their'pivotal movemen Conductor lines |10, |1|, |12

These contact plates are Switch |88 is best shown in Figs. 24 and 2'? and it has contact posts 206 and 201 and a terminal post 208. The post 206 has a second contact portion 2|| that is spaced from the other contact portion and from the contact portion of post '201. The terminal post 208 and the contact post 206 are insulated from the switch base plate and are secured thereto by means ofA conductor rivet 2|0 and contact post 201 is also insulated from the switch base plate and is secured thereto by a rivet 2|0. A iiip of the switch member operates to engage the contact portion 2|| of post 206 or to engage the other contact portion of post 206 and the contact portion of post 201. This movable switch structure Acomprises plates 2|2 and 220 which are separated by a sheet of insulation'22l. The plate 2|2 is arranged to engage contact buttons 222 and 223 of posts 206 and 201 while the plate 220 has a contact member 224 arranged to engage `thecontact portion 2|| of post 206. The plate 220 is mounted to pivot on a bracket 2|3 that is insulated from. the switch base member |84 and secured thereto by `rivets 225. An anchor member 2|4 is fixed on the insulation hub |86 and has a pair of raised bosses 2I5 andl2|6 formed thereon, the boss 2|6 being raised to a greater extent than the boss\ 2|5 and serving as an anchor for one end of a coil spring 2|1 that is fastened at its other end to switch plate 220. This spring acts as an overcenter device that functions when the axial movement of the governor driven hub moves to flip the pivoted switch structure in one direction or the other.

Switch |88 is best shown in Figs. 24 and 29. This switch has terminal posts 226 and 221 and contact posts 228 and 228. These posts are insulated from the switch base plate and a contact rivet 230 fixes posts 226 and 226 to the plate. There is a post 23| similar to post 228 that is iixed to the switch base. plate by rivets 232 and this stop post serves to limit movement of the movable switch member comprised of plates 233 and 234. These plates are suitably spaced andsecured together, the plate 233 being engageable with the contact post 226 and the plate 234 being engageable with the contact post 229. The plate 234 is pivoted on the arms of a bracket 235 that is insulated from the switch base plate and contact rivets 236 secure this bracket and the termi- 'nal post 221 to the switch plate. A coil spring 2|8 engages switch plate 234 and is anchored at the other end to the boss 2|5 when the anchor member 2|4 is fixed to the governor actuated hub |86. Such spring is of the over-center type so last so that the circuits leading to the magne windings in the change speed mechanism will be thereby controlled to vary the gearratio with the speed of the tail shaft. The switches will be shifted back in a reverse manner as the speed of l the tail shaft slows down. In order to vary the degree of governor movement required to actuate these three switches, a suitable adjusting arrangement can be made, such for example as an adjustment of shaft |82 relative to hub |86, the shaft being threaded in the hub for this purpose.

In the electrical control system there is arranged a vacuum operated switch, see Figs. 14 to 19 inclusive, the purpose of.which is to prevent free-wheeling when the vehicle is decelerating. The engine exhaust manifold is indicated at 236 and the engine intake manifold is indicated at 239. A vacuum responsive diaphragm 240 is arranged in a housing 24| and leading to one side of the diaphragm from the intake manifold is a passage 242. Coil spring 243 is also arranged in the housing 24| and engages the diaphragm to oppose movement of the diaphragm in response to pressure reduction in the intake manifold. Fixed to the housing 24| is a switch housing 244 in which is secured a switch base plate member 250. The diaphragm has one end of an actuator rod 245 fixed thereto and such rod is mounted to slide through the switch base plate.' The rod carries an eccentric hub 246 to which oneend of an over-center type of coil spring actuator- 241 is connected. Terminal posts 25|, 252, 253, 254 and 255 are fixed to the face of the switch base plate remote from the diaphragm, and contact posts 256, 251, 258 and 259 are fixed to the face of the switch base plate adjacent the diaphragm. The terminal posts and contact posts are all insulated ,from the switch base plate 250 and the securing rivets therefore are likewise insulated from the base plate.

Posts 256 and 252 are secured by conductor avea-.ass to the switch base plate 25o, the rivets that it will move the movable switch structure back and forth as the governor actuated hub shifts its axial position. 'I'he bracket 20| and switch |81 are connected with the contact terminal 229 of the switch |88 by means of a tie bar 205. The bracket 235 of switch |88 is connected with the bracket 2|3 of switch |81 by tie bar 2|9, and the contact post 201 of switch |69 is connected with the contact post |93 of switch |81 by the tie bar 231. l

The-arrangement of the spring connections with the ,anchor members on the governor actuated hub is such that as the speed of the tail shaft increases the governor will move shaft |82 toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 2l, and as it moves in such direction itl will first trip switch |81 and then later switch |88 and then switch |89. In other words, as the speed increases switch |81 will be tripped iirst, switch |88 will be tripped second, and switch |69 will be tripped and posts being insulated from the plate. Post 253 and contact 258 are secured to plate 250 by conductor rivets 264, these posts, contacts and rivets being suitably insulated from the plate, while post 255 and contact 259 are similarly se cured to the plate by conductor rivets 26|. Post 25| and' conductor strip 263 are secured to plate 250 by conductor rivets 266, such post, strip'and rivet being suitably insulated from the plate. Posts 251 and 255 are insulated from and secured to the plate by conductor rivets 246. Conductor strip 261 is secured in insulated relation on plate 250 by rivets 265. A tie bar 262 is fixed on the plate by rivets 266 and 265, such bar serving as a conductor.

A movable switch structure is shiftable between contacts of the stationary switch structure just described and is carried by a plate 210, formed of insulation material or insulated, that is pivotally mounted on a bracket 216 fixed on plate 250. One end of coil spring 241 is fixed to plate 210 and acts to pivotally actuate the same in accordance with axial movement of rod 245 by pressure. The plate 210 has two pairs of contact strips 21| and 212, the pair of strips 21| being secured to the plate at one end by conductor rivets 213 and the pair ofA strips 212 being secured to the plate at one end by rivets 214. A flexible conductor 211 connects strip 261 with strip 212 and another flexible conductor 215 connects strip 21| with strip 263. Strips 21| operate between contact members 256 and 258 while strips 212 operate between contact members 259 and 251.

Line 288 is attached to contact post 208 of the governor switch and to contact post 253 ,of the with line 282.V Line 323 connects terminal post of the vacuum switch with the kick-dow switch.

'Ihe electrical control system is responsive 'to the position of the accelerator pedal and in this1 connection reference may be had to Figs. 1, 4 to 7 inclusive, and 25. There is a switch device comprising two switches 285 and 286, switch v285 being normally open until closed by slight depression of the accelerator pedal and switch -286 being normally closed until opened by the Jaccelerator pedal when depressed beyond wide open position ofthe engine throttle valve 306. Switch 285 is generally referred to as the accelerator switch and switch 286 is generally referred to asY the kick-downl switch. Switch 285 must be closed for the electrical governor control td be effective to obtain drive by the transmission and4 the switch-286 is used to shiftl back and forth between overdrive and direct drive by the trans-y mission. f n

Fixed to the under side of toe board 91 is a support bracket 290 to which is fixed a sleeve mounting 29| for the accelerator switch hous* ing 292. The kick-down switch includes a pair of terminal posts 293 and 294 fixed to the lower portion of the housing by contact rivets l295 and contact element 296 is movable inside of the housing to connect and disconnect these contacts. Another pair of terminal posts 291 and 298 for the accelerator switch are fixed to the upper portion of the housing by contact rivets 299, and contact element 300 is movable inside thehousing to connect and disconnect these contacts. Contact element 29B is seated on springs 30| in a recess in carrier 302 while contact element 300 is similarly mounted on springs 303 in a recess in carrier 304. An actuator rod 305 extends through sleeve 29|, housing 292 and the switch carriers 302 and 304. Spring 30| frictionally holds carrier 302 with the housing until shifted by rod 305. Spring 3|1 causes carrier 304 to move with rod 305. e

An actuator 308 is` fixed on4 the rod in position to,engage and move the carrier 302 therewith over a boss 309 in the switch housing and against a stop 3|0, in the form of a ange struck inwardly from the housing, to disconnect contacts 295 when the throttle pedal is bevond wide open throttle position. 4is the rod 3.05 is relThe winding 8| is connected tween contacts 233 when the accelerator pedal is released, but upon a slight pressure against the pedal the carrier is returned to contact formingposition by spring 3|1.

, Terminal 283 of the accelerator operated kickdown switch is connectedwith terminal |43 of the manual switch by lin'es 320 and |1|. Terminal 294 `is connected with reverse shift switch 32| by line 322. Line 323 connects terminal post 25| of the vacuum switch with line 820. The reverse switch is connected with magnet winding 90' by line 324. celerator switch is connected by line 325 with 4terminal |94 of the governor switch, and line |12 leads from line 325 to terminal |44 of the manual switch. \Terminal 298 of the accelerator switch is connectedby line 326 with line 284. by line 321 with line325.

Mechanism is arranged betweenthe accelerator pedal and the switch rod 305 whereby the rod is actuated in a d eflnite relation with the pedal. The bracket 290 is formed with ears 320 on whichshaft 3 29 is rotatably mounted and fixed on an endof this shaft is an arm 330 to which ,is pivotally connected the accelerator pedal rod 33|. Another arm 332 is fixed to the shaft and is connected with the switch rod by link 333, the pivot pin -334 riding in an arcuate slot 335 of the arm. Such slot provides a. lost motion connection of a character such that slight pressure against the accelerator pedal will shift the rod 305 to engage switch element 300 with contacts 299, where it will remain until the rear end ofthe slot reaches the pin. The arm 332A will be swung to further move the rod 385 upwardly only after the throttle valve has been moved to wide open position, at which point the arm picks up the rod and moves it to carry contact \296, out of engagement with contacts 295. In this manner the current to the magnet windings is'changed to shift from overdrive to direct. As the pedal is allowed to return from beyond wide open Athrottle position, the rod will carry switch 288 back into engagement with contacts 295 reestablishing overdrive 4when actuated by the forward 'end of slot 335 which gives control to the selection of fourth speed.

The accelerator pedal is normally moved to -I throttle idling position by spring 336 connected to the vehicle frame and to arm 331. Arm 338 isalso fixed on shaft 329 and link i339 extends therefrom tothe throttle valve 306. Another arm 340 is pivotally mounted on shaft 329 and engages the throttle arm 338 for manual mawhich one end of avlink 343 is connected. l 'Ihis tracted a washer 3|| bearing'against clip 3|2 xed to the rod will return the switch carrier 302 to contact forming position. A 4reaction spring 3|3 enoirclesl rod 305 and bears against ',disk 3|4 at its lower end, the disk seating against stop iiange 3|0. In the housing is fixed a wall 3| 5 against which bears disk 3|6 against which the upper end of spring 3|3 bears. Spring 3l1 is seated against the wall and disk 3|8 which positions switch carrier 304 upwardly against :a flanged sleeve 3|9 fixed to the rod'. ADownward movement of the rod and sleeve will carry the carrier 304 therewith to break the circuit belink is also connected to an arm 344 iixed on shaft 345extending through the governor housing |15. Bell crank lever 345 in lthe housing is xed to this shaft and one end of the lever is at 352 to a. yoke 353 in which rod 348 extends.

A spring bearing 354 is mounted on rod348 and a main compression spring 355 is arranged be- Terminal 291 ofthe actween bearings 354 and 341 to oppose the action of centrifugal4 force developed by weights |19 to shift shaft IBI. Another spring 358 also eX-.

tends between such bearings 354 and 341.

The connection between the accelerator pedal and the governor shaft is arranged so that depression of the accelerator pedal, opening the throttle valve, increases the load on springs 355 and 356 that must be overcome by centrifugal force before the governor switch shaft will be actuated to cause a ratio change in the gearing. As the spring loading builds up rather high, an assistor is connected with bell crank 346 so that the foot effort required against the accelerator pedal to loadthe spring is thereby reduced. A link 351 is mounted in the housing on a pin 358 extending through a slot inlone end thereof while the other end has a pivotal bearing against a pin 359 on bell crank 346. Spring 360 is seated against a retainer 36| bearing against pin 358 and against an abutment on the other end of link 351 from the pin. After the bell crank has been shifted to a point Where pin 359 passes a line between pins 345 and 358, spring 360 will assist the manual eiort on the accelerator pedal tending to load springs 355 and 356.

The shift rod 65 for effecting reverse drive has its shifter fork 69 formed with a switch actuator portion 310 against which switch element 31| of the reverse switch 32| rides. This switch element is normally engaged with contacts 312, 313 by spring 314 but such contact is broken by movement of the shift rod into reverse position.

39 and shaft 53 reversely to drive shaft |1. The carrier 38 has been locked by the movement of the hand lever which through linkage H5, Ill, ||1 and shifter rod 65 vhas shifted clutch 68 and this movement of the rod has also shifted yoke 69 to positivelyv engage sleeve 59, splined on tail shaft I0, with ring 63 fixed to hub 56 splined on shaft 53. Thus the reverse drive from shaft 53 will be positive to tail shaft I0. As the accelerator pedal must be slightly depressed to energize the winding 8|', the vehicle will not creep in reverse drive relation when standing still.

When the hand lever is shifted to emergency position, usually necessary only when the electrical system fails or when desired to directly couple the drive when being pushed to start the engine, the movable manual switch member operated by lever |04 will not be in contactposition to energize the magnet windings. The shift rod 65 will have been moved to rearmost position carrying the planet carrier 38 therewith through fork 68 so that planet gears 36 mesh with teeth 43 on shaft 32, and the rod will also have carried clutch sleeve 59 into positive engagement with ring 63 fixed on carrier 56 by means of the actuator 13 shifting clutch yoke 69 forwardly. Clutch sleeve 59 fixes the tail shaft I0 to rotate with carrier 56 splined on shaft 53 and planetary gears 36 lock the gear 39 and shaft 53 with shaft 32 which is positively connected to sun gear sleeve I 2| by ring 44. With the rod 65 in central or re- Contact 312 has conductor 1ine'324 connected thereto while contact 313 has conductor line 3 22 connected thereto.

When the ignition switch |50 is closed, the control system is ready to function. The driver, through operationv of the hand lever |04, has the choice of establishing reverse drive, neutral, second speed forward drive, forward drive variable automatically, or emergency direct drive. The positions to which the hand lever is moved to obtain the selected drives is indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, while the positions in which the main switch is manually shifted by the hand lever is indicated in Fig. 25.

Current iiows from the battery to the contact element |46 when ignition is turned on, but when the lever |04 is in neutral position the main switch is also in neutral, as shown in Fig. 25, so

no contact'is established to energize any of the magnet windings. v

When the hand lever is shifted to reverse position, the movable main switch member |58 will be shifted to the left, as viewed in Fig. 25, and

- will be ready to energize winding 8|' by establishing a connection between contacts |65 on strip |46 and contacts |6|. Line |10 is thus energized, but as its connection to winding 8| is by lines 325 and 326 connected by the accelerator switch 285, the accelerator pedal must be depressed slightly to close such switch and connect contacts 299 before the winding 8|' is energized. This shiftingf the hand lever to reverse position will open the reverse switch 32 I, so that winding 96' cannot be energized under any condition, and will also manually shift carrier teeth 4| into engagement with the teeth of plate 42 fixed to the gear casing. As winding 8| is energized, armature 82 will be held magnetically to magnet-8| so there will be al geared drive through the front planetary gearing to the sun gear 35 driving planet gears 36 and, due to the carrier 38 being held stationary, the planet gears will drive gear verse position the planetary gear 36 will be disengaged from shaft 32 thus disconnecting the positive direct drive between the shafts 32 and 53.

When the vehicle is travelling over hills, it is sometimes desirable to manually set the drive in second speed forward, and this drive can be established by shifting the hand lever to the position indicated as 2nd in Figs. 1 and 2. As can be seen in Fig. 25, the switch member |58 operated by lever |04 will be moved so that contact is made thereby from strip contact |65 to contact |62 of terminal |43 and also from contact |65 to contact |63 of terminal |44. The reverse switch and the kick-down switch will be closed so current will flow through lines |1I, 320, 322 and 324 to the winding 90 thus holding plates 9| and sun gear 46 stationary with the casing 20. Currentwill also flow through lines |12, 325 and 321 to winding 8l to hold the armature 82 with the magnet 8| s o that the drive will be through the front planetary gearing to carrier 56 of the rear planetary gearing, and as the rear sun gear is held stationary the drive will be through the rear planetary gearing to the tail shaft I0. As these conductor line connections to windings 8| and are direct, the governor and vacuum switches cannot have vany influence.

When forward drive, variable with speed and engine operating conditions, is desired the hand lever is moved to the position vindicated at F in Figs. 1 and 2. The middle planetary gearing will be engaged for direct drive therethrough as shown in Fig. 3. As can be seen in Fig. 2'5, the movable switch element |58 will be positioned manually to engage contact |65 on strip |46 with contact |64 of terminal |45 and the movable switch element |59 will connect contacts |66 and |61 of terminal posts |40 and |4|. This is the only position of switch element 59 that will establish current in lines |89 and |68. When the manual switch is in such position four forward driving speeds in the transmission are possible, the selection being under control of the governor switch, the vacuum switch and the accelerator operated switches.

Assuming now that the manual control switch is in forward position with contacts |88 andv |81 connected and with contacts |85 and |84 convnected, lines |83 and |83 leading to magnet windso that current ilows through lines 283, 234 and 328 to the accelerator switch and as soon as the accelerator pedal is slightly depressed connecting `contacts 283 current flows through lines 323 and 321 to the winding coil 8| thereby locking armature 82 to magnet clutch 3| so that the forward planetary drives through the gearing toshaft 33 and through the overrunning clutch rollers 31 to the tail shaft I8. Whenever the ignition is turned on and the hand lever is shifted to I,forward position, the drive mechanism will be in first speed as soon as the accelerator pedal is slightly depressed, thus when the vehicle is standing still the circuit establishing first gear is open and the vehicle will not creep.

'I'he governor is set to shift switch |81, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 25, when the tail shaft reaches a predetermined speed, thus dis-g connecting line 284 but connecting lines 283, 2|3 and 203 with line 325. Line 325 is connected with winding 3| by line 321. At the same time current iiows from switch |81, through lines 231, sil, 288, vacuum switch 21|, lines 323 and 328, through the kick-down switch, line 322, reverse switch 82d and line 824 to winding 80'. Thus the front planetary drives through the gears and sun gear d8 is held stationary, so the drive through the rear planetary to the tail shaft is stepped up andsecond speed forward is had until the governor shifts its controlled switch back to first speed or shifts switch |88 to the dotted position shown in Fig. 25 establishing third speed connected with line 282 and as the manual switch is set connecting lines |69 and |68, the magnet winding 88' is energized. Thus the armature 82 9 through the rotating planet gears 49 to tail Shaft-.. d

with the construction herein described, the

transmission will require a. relatively small space requirement, and will respond to the drivers desire simply through his actuation of the accelerator pedal after being adjustedl for forward drive. Such controlprovides -an automatic selection of gear ratios which will give maximum acceleration for all car speeds at full throttle position of the accelerator pedal, and likewise provides automatic adjustment to the lowest numerical transmission gear ratio that will .be suitable for road load conditions when the vehicle is running at substantially uniform speed. All intermediate requirements between road load requirements and full throttle requirements also are provided through sole operation of the accelerator pedal. The accelerator pedal is interconnected with the governor switch to obtain such results.

The arrangement of gears and speed ratio selecting mechanism is such that the transmission can be fitted into a motor vehicle without tunneling the floor of the body, even in view of the present tendency to` lower the floor. I'he overrunning clutch and a multiple disk held rear planetary provide a relatively small diameter unit behind the toe board, the diameter of the fluid coupling and front magnetic clutches beingof small importance as they can be located in advance of the toe board where space is more plentiful. 'Ihe present design permits the use of helical gears because there is` no high inertia forces created due to acceleration of parts' having considerable mass in the rear end of the unit. The use of a reduction ratio in the front planetary unit and an overdrive ratio ,in the rear planetary reduces the clutch holding requirement of the rear planetary to a minimum. By using the overrunmng clutch,.the drag of an equivalent magnetic clutch is eliminated and the timing consideration, required when shifting if two magnets were used, for the rear planetary unit is eliminated.

The rear 'planetary gearing including the overrunning clutch and -magnetic clutch sun gear holding means would not be acceptable in motor vehicles if manually controlled, because freeis shifted and held stationary by magnet 83 locking planet gears 21 in their rotation giving a direct drive to shaft 53 from which the overrunning roller clutch 51 transmits the drive to the tail shaft I0.

When the tail shaft driving in third speed for` in dotted lines in Fig. 25 establishing fourth speed forward, which in the present showing is an overdrive. The connection of lines 283, 2|9, 282, |89 and |88 is maintained as in third speedforward so that the magnet winding 88 remains energized. Line 2|8 is also connected with line 280 which is connected with line 323 through the vac' uum switch, so that current iiows through line 328, the kick-down switch, line 322,*the reverse switch and line 324 to magnet winding 83'. Thus the ring gear 28 is locked to sun gear 23 by armature 82 which in turn is held by`magnet 88,

and sun gear 48 is held by plates 8| that in turn are held by magnet 88. The drive will be through therotating planet gears 21 to shaft 53 and wheeling would occur when the drive passes through the overrunning clutch in iirst and third forward gear ratios, but the automatic control takes care of this .due to the vacuumswitch.

-As already stated, Atrue automatic operation or control must include the willful selection by the driver to obtain maximum acceleration at all times when the accelerator pedal is fully depressed and second for all road load conditions under which the transmission will operate at top speed, the accelerator pedal is interconnected and becomes a part of the control mechanism. The entire automatic operation isi based' on road load and engine requirement conditions. It is well known that if the torque curves are plotted for the gear ratios in any transmission device, and that if these torque curves are plotted against the car speed at maximum torque for all engine speeds, the torque curve in first speed will cross the maximum torque curves for second speed at a definite car speed for a given engine. There-V fore maximum torque for the propeller shaft or Imaximum driving torque for the car is obtained in the first gear ratio only below the speed of intersections between the torque gears for first speed and second speed. Beyond this car'speed maximum acceleration or maximum driving torque for the rear wheels is obtained in second gear and this condition will persist until the car speed is reached at which the curve for maximuml torque second gear crosses the curve for maximum torque in third gear. Beyond this speed maximum driving torque is obtained in third gear and the cycle repeats itself until the curve for maximum torque in the third gear crosses the curve for maximum torque in the third or fourth gear. For given partly open throttle positions these torque curves will shift downward and speeds of intersection will also shift slightly.

In order toprovide a control mechanism which is so arranged as to automatically provide shifting from one geared speed to another -at or slightly before the speeds of an intersection for full throttle opening, I provide automatically for the gear ratio which will deliver the maximum torque possible at 'any particular car speed to the propeller shaft. This operation is obtained by the governor arranged to operate the switches of the magnetic clutch and holding devices to cause their corresponding actuation and engage or disengage as the case requires. If this governor had a fixed pattern of operation al1 shifts would he made at the same speeds irrespective of the throttle opening, and in such case the gear ratio would be fixed to car speed. In order to vary the speeds at which the shifts take place, the governor is interconnectedwith the accelerator in such a way that the governor will actuate its switches to cause the shift to take place at the intersecting speeds for full throttle position only. The connection between the accelerator and the governor provides for a diminution of the resistance against which the governor must operate for part throttle openings so that the governor will actuate the switches at lower car speeds, thus reducing the shifting speeds to lower values. The governor is designed so that it will operate to its full range at a comparatively low speed and by increasing the resistance necessary for the governor to move against by the interi connecting spring and lever mechanism leading from the accelerator pedal in such a waythat depressing by increment movements downward of the accelerator increases resistance to governor movement so that at full depression of the accelerator the resistance oiered to movement of the governor will correspond to the speeds for shifting at the intersecting points of the torque curves. With this arrangement, if the car is coasting and the throttle is in its idling position, the transmission will "remain engaged at the top gear relation until the car is coasted down to the lowest speed at which the governor can retain its position for fourth gear operation. If this should be, say, fteen to twenty miles an hour, the transmission Will then shift into third gear, and as the car slows down further it will shift successfully in second gear and then in the first gear.

Such operation however would provide freewheeling in coasting when the car shifts into third gear and again when it shifts into first gear. The vacuum switch obviates this freewheeling condition in third gear and first gear and so long as the throttle is in idling position, the vacuum is high, and the governor control is temporarily eliminated so that the vacuum operated switch holds the transmission in fourth gear engagement. The vacuum spring is arranged so that the control switch reinstates the iny ` car is in rstgear standing still.

4governor control when the car speed reduces to approximately five miles an hour. 'I'hus with this control arrangement free-wheeling will be eliminated except at speeds below five miles an hour which is regarded as unobjectionable.

It is also apparent that maximum driving torque is available at the rear wheels and consequently maximum acceleration at all times and for all road conditions when the accelerator is fully depressed. It is also a feature of this control mechanismy that for part throttle operations the transmission will operate in top gear for all road load conditions at which a substantially uniform speed can be maintained with the throttle partly open. While such an arrangement provides for correct and technically logical operation of the motorvehicle, it of course does not provide fory certain arbitrary methods of operation tov which present automobiles are adapted. It will however provide for the most economical operation of the car and for unerring shifting under maximum requirements.

When a transmission is coupled with a fluid flywheel there is a certain amount of drag under idling conditions, and it will be necessary, unless some other means is provided, to hold the car from creeping at traflic lights and other places by applying the brakes slightly. In order to eliminate such-creeping the control mechanism is arranged so that the magnetic clutch and holding devices are disengaged when the car comes to a stop. The accelerator pedal operated switch is connected to the accelerator pedal so that it closes a circuit to the first speed forward clutch when the accelerator pedal is slightly depressed by the driver's'foot. When the drivers foot is removed from the accelerator pedal, the switch' will disconnect the' circuit but only when the So long as the accelerator pedal is depressed, the governor will function to make the speed selection and, in effect, this switch provides a complete neutral so far as magnetic devices are concerned.

The kick-down switch is operated by the accelerator to open the circuit when the accelerator is moved beyond wide open throttle position and under such circumstances the lswitch serves to change the circuit arrangement whereby the overdrive circuit is disconnected and a third speed circuit is established. Likewise when the kick-down switch is again returned to shift, the drive will be shifted from direct back to overdrive.

The mechanism'has another feature for maneuvering the car under certain conditions and particularly useful in negotiating hills and more particularly from going down hill to provide a gear speed in which the transmission can be made to operate regardless of car speed. When the manual control is moved to position indicated at 2nd, mechanical drive will be in second gear only. In such a shift the governor control circuits are disconnected so that it is possible to coast down hill using the engine as a brake or. to maneuver the car in parking or in other ways without bringing in automatic operation and it is of course understood that the type of control could be arranged so thatthe transmission could be so operated in either first or second gear.

In cases where all of the electrical circuits' thereby cranking the engine ln case the battery Dir f wnnected. aligned Dlnetary gearings. the v is rundown, Ihis mechanical connection is provided by mechanism under the control ofthe manual shift lever IM which moves the reverse or middle planet carrier into fixed driving relation with the shaft I2 connecting it directly with shaft Il and the driven member I2 of the hydraulic coupling, the clutch 50 being at'the same time engaged with carrier Il splin'ed on shaft 53. mechanical'connection from the iluld coupling to the tail shaft and permit driving the car in emergencies.

Although the invention has been described in connection with .a specific embodiment, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications which will readily occur to persons skilled" in the art. The invention is therefore te be' limited only as indicated by thescope er the appended claims.

What is claimed-is:V a

l. Transmission mechanism comprising a drive shaft, a tail shaft, a drive planetary gearing driven yby the-drive shaft, a driven planetary gearing coupled with the tail shaft, coupling Such connections provide a directv forward gearing having a drive connection with said driveshaft, a coupling shaft extending axially through said planetary gearing, means connecting the forwardend of said coupling shaft to rotate positively with said drive shaft, and means operable to drivingly connect said coupling shaft with the planet gears' of the r'ear planetary gearing.

6. In transmission mechanism, a drive shaft, a

. pair of aligned planetary gearings, the forward gearing havingits sun gear fixed to rotate with said drive shaft and its planet gear carrier cou- .pled to the sun gear of the rear planetary gearing, and clutch means operable to drivingly connect the planet gears of the rear gearing positively with the sun gear of the forward gearing.

7. In Itransmission mechanism, a drive shaft, a pair of aligned planetary gearings, the forward gearing having its sun gear nxed to rotate with said drive shaft and its planet gear carrier .fixed means' connecting the panetary gearings, said r. coupling means being selectively operable to establish a direct drive or a reverse drive, means operable to establish either one of two driving speeds through thev drive planetary gearing, means shiftable to establish or break the drive through the driven planetary'gearing, and an overrunning one-way clutch means for connecting the coupling means with the tail shaft when the driven planetary gearing is out of'driving relation. v

2. vIn transmission mechanism, a drive shaft, a tail shaft, three connected, aligned Aplanetary gearings between and coupled to said shafts, means operable to establish either' one of two driving speeds through the planetary gearing adjacent the drive shaft, means operable to hold or release the planet gear carrier of the middle planetary gearing, control means operable to holdV or release the sun gear of the planetary gearing adjacent the tail shaft, and 'an overrunning clutch forconnecting the middle planetary gearmiddle planetary gearing having an axially shiftable carrier for the planet gear mountings, a fixed member, means on said carrier engageable with ing directly with'the tail shaft when the sun gear of the rear planetary gearing is released.

said fixed member to hold said carrier stationary, v

means operable to shift said carrier, means operable to establish either one of two driving speeds in the forward driving planetary gearing, means for holding or releasing the sun gear of the rear planetary gearing, and an'overrunning one-way clutch operable to connect the middle planetary gearing in direct driving relation with the tail shaft.

4. In transmission mechanism, a drive shaft,

planetary gearing driven by said drive shaft,

means operable to establish eitherone of two driving speeds from said planetary gearing, a second planetary gearing connected to rotate with said first mentioned gearing, and means operable to lock said second planetary gearing and establsh a positive driving couple-therefrom directly to said drive shaft independently of said first mentioned planetary gearing.

to the sun gear of the rear planetary gearing,

a shaft extending through said gearings, means ilxing thelforward end of the shaft to the sun gear of the forward gearing, teeth on they rear end of the shaft,'and means operable to shift the planet gears of the rear gearing into or out of mesh with the teeth on said shaft.

8. In transmission mechanism, a drive shaft, a-

pair of aligned connected planetary gearings, the sun gear of the'forward gearing being fixed to the drive shaft, control means operable to estab'- lish either one of two driving speeds through they forward planetary gearing, coupling means fixed to thefsun gear of the forward planetary gearing and having teeth at the rear of the planet gears of the *rear planetary gearing, a ilxed member, and means operable to shift the planetgcar carrier of the rear'planetary-gearing forwardly into tail shaft, three aligned planetary gearings coupled for transmitting power between said shafts,

control means operable to establish either one of `two driving speeds 'from the forward planetary gearing, control means operable to holdl or release the planet gear carrier of the middle planetary gear, means operable to hold or release the sun gear of vth'e rear planetary gearing, an overrunning clutch voperable to driverthe tail shaft at the ,speed of the middle planetary gearing, a positive clutch operable to lock the rear planetary with the tailv shaft, and an interconnection between the control means for the middle planetary gearing and the'positive clutch whereby the rear planetary will be locked when the carrier of the middle planetary gearing is held.

yl0. In transmission mechanism, a drive shaft, a' tail shaft. three aligned connected planetary gearlngs for transmitting power between saidl shafts, control means operable toestablisheither one of two driving vspeedsfrom the forward planetary gearing, control means operable to hold or release the planet gear carrier of the middle planetary gearing. brake means operable to hold or release the sun gear of the rear planetary gearing, an overrunning clutch operable to `di- 5. Intransmission mechanism, a drive shaft,`a l5 rectly couple the planet gear carrier of the rear planetary gearing with the tail shaft when the brake means for the rear planetary gearing is released, a clutch shiftable to positively couple the planet gear carrier of the rear planetary gearing with the tail shaft, and means interconnecting said positive clutch means and said control means whereby they will be shifted together to positively engage the rear planetary gearing carrier with the tail shaft when the carrier of the middle planetary gearing is held.

11. In transmission mechanism, a drive shaft, a tail shaft, three aligned connected planetary gearings for transmitting power between the drive shaft to the tail shaft, the forward planetary having a control for selecting either one of two driving speeds therethrough and a sun gear fixed to the drive shaft, the sun gear o! the middle planetary gearing being fixed to "the planet carrier of the forward planetary gearing, and the ring gear of the middle planetary' gearing having a fixed connection with theplanet gear carrier of the rear planetary gearing, a coupling member fixed to the forward planetary gearing sun gear, a stationary member, a control member shiftable to move the carrier of the middle planetary gearing forwardly to lock with said stationary member and rearwardly to engage the planet gears with the coupling member, a disk clutch operable to hold or release the sun gear of the rear planetary gearing, an overrunning clutch operable to directly connect the planet gear carrier of the rear planetary gearing with the tail shaft, a positive clutch shiftable to connect the tail shaft with the planet carrier of the r'ear planetary gearing, and an interconnection between the positive clutch and the control member of the middle planet carrier whereby the positive clutch will be engaged when either the middle carrier is held or the middle planet gears are engaged with the coupling member.

12. Transmission mechanism, comprising a power driven fluid coupling, a drive shaft driven by the fluid coupling, a front-planetary gearing having a sun gear fixed to said shaft and a ring gear and a planet gear carrier, a tail shaft, a

.positive drive through the driven planetary gearing, an overrunning clutch operable automatically to drive the tail shaft from the-coupling means when the driven planetary gearing is idling,` a positive two-way clutch operable to drive the tail shaft with the coupling means, electrical means for controlling said magnetic means for both planetary gearings, shiftable means for mechanically controlling the coupling means and the two-way clutch, and manually operable means for controlling said shiftable means and said electrical means in definite relationship.

15. In transmission mechanism, a tail shaft, a power 'operated driving planetary gearing, mag- A netic means for controlling said gearing to selecrear planetary gearing'having a ring gear in l driving relation with said tail shaft, a planet gearl carrier and a sun gear, coupling means drivingly connecting the planet gear carriers of said planetary gearings, magnetically controlled means operable to establish either one of two driving speeds through the front planetary gearing, magnetically controlled means operable to hold or release the sun gear of the rear planetary gearing, an overrunning clutch operable to drivingly connect the planet gear carrier of the rear gearing with the tail shaft when the associated sun gear is released by the magnetically controlled means, a clutch mounted to rotate with the tail shaft and shiftable to engage the planet gear carrier of the rear gearing.

13. In transmission mechanism, a tail shaft, a

power operated driving planetary gearing, magtively establish direct or modified drive, a speed modifying driven planetary gearing coupled to the tail shaft, coupling means for drivingly connecting the planetary gearings, magnetic means operable to establish positive drive through the driven planetary gearing, an overrunning clutch automaticallyA operable to drive the tail shaft directly from the coupling means when the driven planetary gearing is idling, a positive two-way clutch operable to drive the tail shaft with the coupling means, electrical means for selectively energizing said magnetic means including a main conductor switch, shiftable means for mechanically controlling the coupling means and the two-way clutch, and manually operable means for controlling said shiftable means and said main conductor switch and in definite relationship.

A 16. In transmission mechanism, a tail shaft, a power operated driving planetary gearing, magnetic means for controlling said gearing to selectively establish direct or modified drive, a speezl modifying driven planetary gearing coupled to the tail shaft, coupling means for-drivingly connecting the planetary gearings, magnetic means yoperable to establish positive drive through the driven planetary gearing, an overrunning clutch automatically operable to drive the tail shaft directly from the coupling means when the driven planetary gearing is idling, a positivetwo-way clutch operable to drive the tail shaft with the coupling means, electrical means for selectively energizing said magnetic means including a main conductor switch and automatic means for selecting the operation of the magnet means, shiftable means for mechanically controlling the coupling means and the two-way clutch, and manually operable means for controlling said shiftable means and said ymain conductor switch and in definite relationship.

17. In transmission mechanism, a tail shaft, a power operated driving planetary gearing, magnetic means for controlling said gearing to selectively establish direct or modified drive, a speed modifying driven planetary gearing coupled to the tail shaft, coupling means for drivingly connecting the planetary gearings, magnetic means 

